2 PPP road projects up for bidding

MANILA, Philippines - Two major road projects under the government’s flagship Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program is set for bidding next month, according to PPP Center, executive director Cosette V. Canilao.

She said the two projects, which already got the nod of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), are the P25.56-billion NLEX-SLEX connector road and the P35.58-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).

The NLEX-SLEX connector road, which is an unsolicited offer, requires it to undergo a Swiss challenge.

 â€œOnce the agreement with San Miguel Corp.-backed Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. is signed for the common alignment, the Swiss challenge for the NLEX-SLEX will be published hopefully by March,” Canilao said on the sideline of the Philippine Infrastructure Development Seminar yesterday.

State rules dictate that if there is an unsolicited bid for a government project, a Swiss challenge is required, that is, government will invite a third party (private sector) to make a similar bid.

The Swiss challenge period will last for 90 days, wherein the absence of a third party challenger will allow government to start negotiations with the original bidder.

The NLEX-SLEX connector road completes the North-South industrial development beltway transport axis through the construction of a 13.4-kilometer four-lane elevated expressway. Assuming that the project is approved and construction immediately gets underway, the proponents expect the connector road to be completed by 2016.

Meanwhile, Canilao said she does not see any major impediments to the publication for pre-bidding and pre-qualification of the CALAX project.

 â€œHopefully by March, the invitation to bid and pre-qualify will be published too,” she added.

Other projects already in the early stages of the bidding process are: the automated fare collection system (AFCS); the Daang Hari-SLEX Link Road; the PPP for School Infrastructure (Phase 1 & Phase 2); LRT Line 1 South Extension; NAIA Expressway Phase II; Rehabilitation and O&M of Angat hydro-electric powerplant auxiliary turbines 4 and 5;Mactan-Cebu International Airport New Passenger Terminal building; and the modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center.

Canilao said that they are asking the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to submit their proposals for three airport projects to NEDA for approval. These are: the O&M for the Puerto Princesa Airport; O&M for Laguindigan Airport; and the enhanced O&M panglao Airport.

Other projects that have been identified under the PPP may approach the bidding process late this year to early 2014.

These are Civil Regitration System-Information Technology Project Phase II; Vaccine Self-Sufficiency Project Phase II; Talisay City Plaza Complex Heritage Restoration and redevelopment project; establishment of cold chain systems; Grains Central Project; O&M LRT Line 2; New Centennial Water Supply; rehabilitation of Quirino Highway Integrated Transport System Project; Bulacan bulk water supply; El Nido water supply and sanitation system and regional prison facilities.